Question 1

Which of the following is NOT an aim of social science?

Accepted Answer

Judging social values is not an aim of social science. Rather, social science aims to observe and analyze social phenomena with the goal of understanding, explaining, and predicting them.

Question 2

In comparison to nonscientific inquiry,scientific inquiry:

Accepted Answer

Scientific inquiry involves taking special precautions to avoid error, which is a fundamental aspect of the scientific process. However, it is still possible for errors to occur despite these precautions. Therefore, option D is not correct as it implies complete and absolute error avoidance, which is not possible in scientific inquiry. Option B is incorrect as scientific inquiry requires conscious and deliberate thinking and planning. Option C is also incorrect as making mistakes and learning from them is an essential part of the scientific process.

Question 3

A probabilistic explanation takes the form:

Accepted Answer

A probabilistic explanation implies that there is some probability or likelihood associated with the relationship between x and y. Option A and B suggest that the relationship is deterministic, which may not be the case in a probabilistic explanation. Option D suggests a conditional relationship that may or may not be probabilistic. Option E is simply the reverse of option A, which is not necessarily indicative of a probabilistic explanation. Option C, on the other hand, suggests that while x may not always be y, there tends to be some degree of correlation between the two, which is indicative of a probabilistic explanation.

Question 4

Assume that Professor Rodgers from the previous question had studied only three people aged 65 or older.Suppose he concluded that the average level of happiness increased for people aged 65 and older.Rodgers would be committing:

Accepted Answer

The error of overgeneralization means that the researcher has drawn a conclusion from a sample that is too small, which is the case here where Professor Rodgers only studied three people aged 65 or older. Therefore, his conclusion that the average level of happiness increased for people aged 65 and older is not reliable and he is committing the error of overgeneralization.

Question 5

A form of human interference in which what we learn about society can change reality so what we learned is not true is known as being:

Accepted Answer

The term "recursive" refers to a process that repeats or refers back to itself. In the context of human interference in society, the idea of recursive learning suggests that the information we learn about society can influence our actions and behavior, which in turn can change the reality of society. This type of interference can cause the information we initially learned to become outdated or false. Therefore, choice C) recursive is the best option.

Question 6

Epistemology is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Epistemology is the branch of philosophy concerned with the theory of knowledge, or how we know what we know. Therefore, it is best described as "the science of knowing."

Question 7

One of your friends scored in the 90s on her last ten exams.Although she has been studying for this exam and feels prepared,she told you,"I know I'm going to flunk this exam.I've been doing too well on exams." Your friend is committing the error of:

Accepted Answer

Your friend's belief that she will fail the exam despite consistently high scores is an example of illogical reasoning, as it contradicts the evidence of her past performance.

Question 8

After examining divorce court records,Jenny concludes that Moms are more likely than Dads to obtain custody of their children.This type of statement is:

Accepted Answer

Jenny's conclusion is nomothetic because it refers to a general pattern or trend observed in a group (moms vs. dads in custody cases). It is also probabilistic because it suggests a likelihood or probability rather than a certainty.

Question 9

Our attempts to learn about the world we live in come from:

Accepted Answer

Learning about the world we live in comes from a combination of direct experience, tradition, direct personal inquiry, and authority. Each of these sources plays a role in helping us gain knowledge about the world, and a full understanding of the world requires consideration of information from all these sources.

Question 10

Which of the following is most likely to be a list of variables?

Accepted Answer

The options in choice C are all variables that can be measured and compared across different groups or individuals. The other options include characteristics or traits that are more subjective and not easily measurable or comparable in the same way.

Question 11

Social scientific theory addresses:

Accepted Answer

Social scientific theory addresses what is, meaning it seeks to explain and understand the social world as it is, rather than making prescriptions for how it should be or dealing with matters of value.

Question 12

Safeguards against error in social research include:

Accepted Answer

All of the choices listed provide safeguards against error in social research. Making observations more deliberate helps to ensure that the researcher is accurately capturing the data they intend to collect. Replications under slightly varying circumstances help to establish the reliability of the results obtained, as results that are consistent across multiple studies are more likely to be accurate than those that are not. The use of simple and complex measurement devices allows for more accurate and precise measurement of the variables under study. Finally, totally independent replications by other researchers help to establish the validity of the findings obtained, as it demonstrates that the results can be replicated by others in different contexts.

Question 13

Professor Rodgers found that the average level of happiness reported by people under 65 years of age declined from 1957 to 1970.However,for this same group,the average level of happiness increased slightly from 1970 to 1978.Rodgers also found that the average level of happiness reported by people age 65 and older increased from 1957 to 1978.A(the)variable(s)in this study is(are):

Accepted Answer

The variable in this study is age because the study focused on how the average level of happiness changed over time for different age groups. The specific age categories (under 65 and 65 and older) are subsets of the overall variable of age.

Question 14

Which of the following is TRUE of quantification?

Accepted Answer

All of the choices are true. Quantification involves assigning numerical values to observations or data, which can make them more explicit, easier to aggregate, easier to summarize, and opens up the possibility of statistical analysis.

Question 15

Which of the following is(are)a probabilistic statement(s)?

Accepted Answer

The statement "When serving as jurors, women tend to vote for acquittal" is probabilistic because it implies that there is a higher likelihood or probability that women will vote for acquittal, but does not make a certain or absolute claim. The other statements either make absolute claims or use negative wording that implies certainty, making them non-probabilistic.

Question 16

Methodology is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Methodology refers to the systematic and rigorous approach used to conduct research and find out information. It involves various techniques and methods that are used for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to derive meaningful insights. Therefore, the best description of methodology is the science of finding out.

Question 17

An independent variable is a:

Accepted Answer

An independent variable is a variable that influences other variables. It is not a theoretical concept, set of attributes or a variable that is influenced by other variables.

Question 18

The ability to have two different,conflicting ideas in one's mind simultaneously without denying or dismissing either of them is known as:

Accepted Answer

The ability to hold two different, conflicting ideas at the same time without dismissing or denying either of them is known as tolerance for ambiguity. It is a cognitive style that allows individuals to embrace uncertainty and complexity, and it is essential in many fields, including creativity, innovation, and leadership. Nomothetic thinking refers to a general approach to understanding phenomena by identifying universal laws or principles that govern them. Idiographic thinking, on the other hand, focuses on specific, unique aspects of an individual or situation. Probabilistic thinking involves evaluating and weighing probabilities and risks in decision-making. Free will refers to the belief that individuals have the power to make choices and act independently, regardless of external factors or determinism. While it is related to cognitive style, it is not relevant to the specific concept described in the question.

Question 19

A study reported in American Sociological Review (1994)was entitled "Race Differences in Sexual Activity Among Adolescent Women." The dependent variable was probably:

Accepted Answer

The answer of A study reported in American Sociological Review...

Question 20

Which of the following would a sociologist be LEAST likely to study?

Accepted Answer

Sociologists are less likely to study an individual's personal reasons for quitting a job as it falls more under the purview of psychology or individual behavior. Sociologists tend to focus on broader social patterns and trends rather than individual cases.

Quiz 1: Human Inquiry and Science